Homeownership

What Is Brookings Area Habitat for Humanity

The mission of Brookings Area Habitat for Humanity, an ecumenical Christian housing ministry, is to form partnerships, which empower individuals, families, and our community to build affordable family homes together. Habitat welcomes those of any faith – or no faith – to join in our work. Brookings Area Habitat was formed in 1995 and will have completed 35 homes as of December 2008.

How Does Habitat Work?

Through volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat and homeowner (partner families) build simple, decent homes. Habitat homes are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with zero-interest loans. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are then used to build more homes.

How To Apply:

Call 692-5601 to register for an upcoming application session. These sessions will have on-site daycare provided! The purpose of these sessions is for you to learn more about Habitat and to find out what is expected from you as a homeowner, as well as what Habitat can do for you.

Please bring the following items (if applicable) to your application session. These are used for Habitat family selection eligibility requirements:

• One month’s pay stubs
• Rent lease and/or subsidy agreement
• If you are self-employed or have commissioned income, bring two years of tax returns
• List of all outstanding debt such as: car loan, medical bills, credit cards, student loans, bank loans, child support or alimony payments
• History of Child Support Income
• Social Security and/or Disability Award Letter(s)

To be eligible for a Habitat Home you must be:

1. Living in inadequate housing. Some examples of inadequate housing are:
   • The home does not have working heat, plumbing, or electricity.
   • The home is not structurally sound.
   • There are not enough bedrooms.
   • You are afraid to let your children play outside.
   • You pay too much for rent.
2. Willing to partner with Habitat. Habitat is not a give-a-way program! In addition to a down payment and the educational classes, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor – “sweat equity” – into their Habitat home and the homes of others. A family of one adult must invest at least 300 hours of sweat equity. A two adult family would be required to invest at least 500 hours of sweat equity.
3. Able to Pay for a Habitat Home. Habitat does not give homes away; we sell homes at cost. You will repay the loan with a zero-interest mortgage. We require a satisfactory credit history.

Income Guidelines:

*Depending on the sales price of the home, the minimum yearly income may not be sufficient for repayment.  Certain programs may dictate different income amounts for approval.

For more information about becoming a Habitat homeowner, please call 692-5601.

No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, age, sex, religion, marital status, national origin, or handicap, be excluded from participation in employment, program benefits, or subjected to discrimination under any program receiving Federal financial assistance.